The rate of family placement of orphans in Russia is going down

According to G. Semia, an official of the Moscow Department of Family and Youth Services, the number of newly-identified orphans in Russia decreased by 10% in 2008. It is partly a result of decrease of child population in the country. At the same time, the number of orphans placed in families also decreased - by 19% countrywide with the exception of Moscow and three other areas where the family placement increased by 5%. There are still many cases when orphans are returned back to orphanages after being placed into foster families. In 2008 this number was 6% of all cases of family placement. (Source: Agency of Social Information)

Founded in 2008, Orphan’s Tree is an alliance of Americans and Russians who want to change life for orphans, ages 16 and older. We are driven by God’s call to look after orphans and to be a father to the fatherless.